ME rules on cause of death for man in police custody

Medical examiner says Robin Howard died of acute pneumonia

The manner of death for a man in police custody has been ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner. The ME says Robin Howard died of acute pneumonia due to chest trauma caused by blunt force.

In July, the attorney for Howard's family called for a statewide investigation into his death. Oklahoma City police say Howard died on June 23 after a car and foot chase. His family claims investigators didn't tell them about the 54-year-old's injuries until he was dead.

"They came Thursday and notified us that he passed on Sunday, so that was the first thing we heard of," said Kimberly Turner, Howard's sister. "Nobody had contacted my mother before then, and said that he was in the hospital or anything was wrong with him. We didn't know anything."

Howard, who was wanted on charges of trafficking cocaine, led police on a short car chase that ended in the 1400 block of Monticello Court on June 19 about 1:25 p.m., according to the police report.

Officers say Howard crashed into a pole and then fled the scene on foot.

Investigators say Howard resisted arrest and police had to use force to take him into custody. Police say neither Tasers nor other equipment available to officers was used during the arrest.

Howard was then taken to a local hospital, per police procedure, for injuries he sustained in the crash and during his arrest. Howard remained in police custody on multiple traffic violations including attempting to elude police.

Officers say while Howard was hospitalized they discovered he had an outstanding warrant on charges of trafficking cocaine.

Howard died in the hospital on June 23.

Family attorney David Slane asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate. Oklahoma City police previously launched an investigation into Howard's death.

Two of the four police officers at the scene of Howard's arrest have been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

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